WhatsApp Uses Real Data to Shame Others For Using Padded Metrics

In the world of mobile messaging apps everyone seems to want to be top dog, so they release the most impressive metrics. Of courses, this makes it difficult to gauge the success of the apps.

Case in point: Canadian based app Kik, announced that it had crossed 100 million users and Japan-based Line boasted 300 million users last month. However, AllThingsD contributor Liz Gannes, the spokespeople for these sites refused to share the number of active users, when asked for more detailed figures.

To shame the other developers releasing selective statistics, WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum released the user figures for their app: 400 million active users worldwide.

Indeed, WhatsApp has been growing quickly, and it provides quality data about the number of active users, and how many messages are sent on the service. Since August, WhatsApp has gained 100 million active users and more than 500 million images are sent using the service every day. That’s more activity than the media darling Snapchat, which according to BuzzFeed, still hasn’t released a single useful metric.

“We’re a bit fed up and frustrated about people talking about registered users. We think it’s important for us as a leader in the space to speak up and be ethical,” Koum said to AllThingsD. WhatsApp remains on top when it comes to messaging apps, and if any others hope to catch up, it might be time for them to start being honest with their user metrics.